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eMOLT Update 2024-06-28
Weekly Recap
This week, the eMOLT fleet recorded 85 tows of sensorized fishing
gear totaling 1152 sensor hours underwater.
Most areas covered by the eMOLT fleet now show seasonal
thermoclines around 10 fathoms. The only exceptions can
be found Downeast (teal profile), where the surface waters remain below
50 degrees.
A thermocline
is the transition layer between warmer water at the ocean’s surface and
cooler water below.

A halocline
around 2 fathoms thick is also visible in some of Rutgers glider data
east of New Jersey from the last few weeks. In the plot below, you can
see freshwater near the surface and saltier water down below.
A halocline is a vertical gradient of salinity within a body of
water.

These differences in temperature and salinity indicate that the
Mid-Atlantic is setting up to be strongly stratified again this
summer.
New data visualization from MARACOOS and the Doppio team
The Mid Atlantic Regional Association
Coastal Ocean Observing System (MARACOOS) and the Doppio forecast
team at Rutgers have made a new data visualization product available here.
You can use the link to see the latest Doppio seawater temperature
forecasts at the bottom and at the surface across the entire forecast
region. A sliding arrow in the middle of the screen allows you to view
bottom and surface side by side (see screenshot below). On the left hand
side (bottom temps) you can see the Mid-Atlantic Cold Pool south of Long
Island and on the right hand side (surface temps), you can see the Gulf
Stream eddying south of Massachusetts.

Teamwork is the lifeblood of eMOLT
This week, we spent some time at the Sandwich Marina upgrading eMOLT
systems and distributing dissolved oxygen loggers. Thanks to Denny,
Capt. Tim of the F/V Virginia Marie, Capt. Tony of the F/V Miss Julie,
and Capt. James of the F/V Trap Queen for your patience as we got your
systems up and running. Thanks also to Noelle and Linus from the
Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation for taking the time to meet
with us so that we can streamline data collection systems on board
vessels participating in both the eMOLT program and the CFRF Lobster /
Jonah Crab Research Fleet. Finally, a big thanks to Owen and Tommy at
the Center for Coastal Studies and Joaquim from Lowell Instruments. We
got some new hardware out to the F/V Donna Marie and upgraded the
software aboard the F/V Lisa Marie thanks to their efforts.
System Hardware Upgrade List
The following vessels remain on our list for hardware upgrades. If
you aren’t on the list and think you should be, please reach out.
- F/V Brooke C *
- F/V Devocean
- F/V Excalibur
- F/V Kaitlyn Victoria
- F/V Kyler C
- F/V Linda Marie
- F/V Nathaniel Lee *
- F/V Noella C
- F/V Resolve
- F/V Sao Paulo
- F/V Sea Watcher I
- F/V Tom Slaughter
- F/V Virginia Marise
Bottom Temperature Forecasts
Doppio
The Doppio bottom temp forecast performed well off the coast of Maine
and east of New Jersey this week. Bottom temperatures were quite a bit
cooler than forecasted just south of Long Island and in Massachusetts
Bay. Temperatures were warmer than expected along the shelf break south
of New England.


Northeast Coastal Ocean Forecast System


Announcements
The Woods Hole Science Stroll is taking place on August 10, 2024
in Woods Hole, MA from 10 am to 3 pm. Many of the labs in Woods Hole
will have hands on science exhibits and several research vessels will be
open for tours. The event is free and family friendly; you can learn
more here.
The Saltonstall
Kennedy Grant Competition is open until July 23, 2024 with a maximum
award amount of $500,000.
NOAA Fisheries is accepting public comment on the updated
“Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management Road Map” until July 31, 2024. The
Road Map can be downloaded here
and comments can be sent to nmfs.ebfm.roadmap@noaa.gov
On April 30, 2024, BOEM announced its proposal for a first
offshore wind energy auction in the Gulf of Maine and an accompanying a
60-day public comment period (comments due by July 1, 2024). Public
comments can be submitted here.
Further information about the energy auction as well as in-person and
virtual public hearing scheduled for May and June of 2024 can be found
here.
All the best,
-George and JiM
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